Schroon Lake Public Library unveils StoryWalk

SCHROON LAKE | In 50 states and 13 different countries, StoryWalks® is taking libraries by storm. The Schroon Lake Public Library recently unveiled its version of the literary innovation this past summer, and the walk has made a solid addition to not only the library's offerings, but the community and visitor experience. "I saw the idea online and said I would love to do that," said Jane Bouchard, librarian at Schroon Lake Public Library. "In 2021, I wrote a grant with the Lake Placid Education Foundation and they awarded us funding for the project." The grant totaled $1,300 and was enough to cover the costs for Bouchard to get started bringing the StoryWalk to life. Created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vt., and developed with the help of Rachel Senechal, formerly of the Kellogg-Hubbard Library, these recent literacy innovations feature large, laminated pages of books in chronological order, attached to large wooden or metal stakes in the ground and are placed along a path. Currently, the Schroon Lake StoryWalk is located a mere stone's throw from the library along the beach, where there is a good deal of daily foot traffic. "As we were putting them in, people were commenting and inquiring about the project," said Bouchard, who has been the librarian at Schroon Lake since 1998. Along with locals Dennis and Diane D'amico, the three installed the metal frames for the walk. It is standard for a library to have to buy three copies of each book they select for their StoryWalk: two to cut apart and then one to leave intact to see the order of pages, as many children's books lack page numbering. "You cut the pages out, and with the grant, I bought a laminator that does 11 x 17," Bouchard explained. "I cut them up to fit in parameter, affixed super Velcro on the back and then attached the laminated pages to corrugated cardboard that goes into realtor signs and installed them that way." Books selected for the walk often meet certain criteria, such as having minimal text that appeals to all ages and keeps the lines flowing quickly, as well as utilizing stories where the illustrations don't cross between the center of the book layout. The StoryWalk should be able to withstand the elements and hold up against wind, rain, and snow. Over the summer, Bouchard changed the stories out once a week. During the colder months, the stories will be rotated less often but will also cater to the themes and season. Bouchard also has the ability to move the StoryWalk to different locations, the metal frames being portable. "When I'd be changing the stories, people would stop and tell me how many kids they always see enjoying them," said Bouchard. "The positive feedback was way more than I anticipated, which has been really nice." In addition to assisting in literacy and instilling a love for reading into children, Bouchard believes the StoryWalk to be beneficial to people of all ages. "It gets kids and parents together to read, which is really important to me," she offered. "And it also gets people outside to breathe fresh air." Having begun her library career originally in Long Island in 1979, Bouchard has seen many changes over the past three decades. To her, the most fulfilling part of the profession is being able to help people find the answers they seek and pointing them in the right direction, whether it's to a book or a website. "I love seeing people getting excited," she said. "Libraries aren't just about books anymore; you never know what you're going to be doing on any given day."

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Schroon Lake Public Library unveils StoryWalk

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